Today we had arranged to meet with a Canadian couple Valerie had
been corresponding with over the internet when planning the trip. They live in
Penticton, about an hour south of Kelowna.
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| View from our room |
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| What a way to enjoy breakfast |
After a wonderful breakfast prepared by chef and host,
Steve, we headed off for what was to be a short catch up and then on to some
wineries. Well the day panned out a little differently. We found Conrad and
Susan to be a very engaging couple and we all seemed to hit it off very well.
They took us for a tour of the Naramata area which has many wineries. We called
in to a couple that Conrad had been involved in designing, as the architect.
The views over the lake and valley were lovely.
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| Wine racks designed out of old barrels |
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| Beautiful desert hardy lilies |
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| Views across the vineyards to the lake |
The coffee and chat extended to lunch and more chat and
before we knew it we were faced with a storm brewing at 4 pm in the afternoon
and we still had to get to Okanagan Falls to sample the famous Tickleberry’s
ice cream. This was certainly worth the short journey,rounding off a lovely day.
The drive back to Kelowna took us into the edge of the
storm and we had a brief period with heavy rain and lightning all around, but
we soon passed through it. A further hold-up in Penticton because of a serious
road accident put us back in Kelowna with no time to change so we headed
straight into town for dinner.
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| Tickleberry's ice cream parlour |
The storm itself seemed to hang around and move away, but still left the air hot and heavy.
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| Looking out over the storm clouds |
It has been a lovely journey through some spectacular and
ever changing scenery. We have enjoyed every minute of it. Now comes the more
laid back period of the trip – catching up with friends in Washington State
then hopping on the cruise to Alaska. No blogging during the cruise. I’ll be
updating things a bit later.
Hi! What an excellent trip. We're doing similar in a few days. I wondered if you had a list of all of the canyons, lakes, towns and excursions that you enjoyed from Naramata to Banff and Jasper or Calgary. If not, I'll be taking my own notes from your blog. What you did is what we want to do. My family of two girls, 17 and 19 and my wife.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Your life seems full!
Dave
No list in particular, I usually take notes en route and post to the blog. I would recommend you don't miss:
ReplyDeleteA look around Revelstoke - lovely town and try to find time to go up Mt Revelstoke - marvellous veiws. You should be able to get to the top, snow prevented us from getting there.
I recommend the walk around Emerald Lake, Yoho NP (near Field)
Then further along Hwy 1 out of Field (still in Yoho NP) turn off to visit Takkakaw Falls.
Out of Banff I recommend a visit to:
the Kananaskis area - absolutely marvellous.
Marble Canyon (we avoided Johnston Canyon as it was so busy)
We enjoyed Lake Louise especially the walk up to Agnes Lake teahouse. If you want to do this, get to Lake Louise very early.
Moraine Lake would be wonderful without all the hoards of people (you may find the same visiting in August) so we drove in took a quick pic and drove out again.
We loved Jasper - smaller but with loads on offer:
Maligne (pronounced Maleen) Lake; the boat trip is worth it.
A walk around Maligne Canyon
Go up to Mt Edith Cavell - superb (and we were there on a cold, wet, freezing day)
If you enjoy walks, the Five Lakes Walk is lovely
Have a good trip
Thank you so very much. And how fast a reply!
DeleteWe will do those things.
One last question...is climbing Mt. Revelstoke arduous? One of my kids may not be too thrilled.
ReplyDeleteYou drive up Mt Revelstoke - it's a long way up.
ReplyDeleteBear in mind nothing we did was too arduous. As a pair of 60+ adults I'm sure your teenagers will manage.
Oh and do stop off at Tickleberry's Ice Cream in Okanagan if you pass through there.
ReplyDelete